Notes 11: 1966
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The Beatles: 1966 See Hunter Davies, The Beatles, with a new introduction, New York: Norton, 2009 and Tim Riley, Tell Me Why: A Beatles Commentary, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1988. Original plan for the year: Another film with soundtrack album, touring, a second album, singles Did not work out when they could not find a script they all liked (Western satire) January 5: a film of their 1965 Shea Stadium concert was being prepared and sound had to be fixed. Paul arrives first, and begins laying tracks for the songs he could do without the rest. The other 3 arrive one hour late. None of their equipment is there. March: John’s comment, "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I'll be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first – rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me." (Interview with Maureen Cleave, London Evening Standard) Sparks calls to boycott the band in the US. Memphis show is cancelled, then reinstated. April: work on Revolver begins The four and George Martin bounce ideas off each other. Paul and Martin rein in John’s ideas and John pushes Paul. There seems to be a general consensus. Ringo and George are not sideline figures, but offer ideas for instruments, licks, etc. May 1: Last paid concert in England June 10: single released “Paperback Writer” / “Rain” Paul John Vocals are hollow (Lyrics) Psychedelic feel Guitar changes momentum Opens with (2+3) on drums Drums drive forward Guitar with arpeggios Bass lick leads to verse Strong bass playing off the guitar 2nd verse “La la” (Frère Jacques) “Rain” harmonies over static bass Bass solo pulls back to fadeout August 5: Revolver released August 29: final paid concert (Candlestick Park, San Francisco) Revolver -recording artistry rather than concert music (Listening music rather than dancing music) -instruments are added / experimentation / orchestration Beach Boys Pet Sounds released May 16, 1966 Brian Wilson orchestrates and experiments “God Only Knows” – Paul’s favorite song of all time MIT OpenCourseWare https://ocw.mit.edu 21M.299 The Beatles Spring 2017 For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: https://ocw.mit.edu/terms. .